Office of the Chief Engineer (Testing)

~'\.. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd.

"Prakashgad", 5th Fl., Dr.A.Kanekar Road,
MAHAVITARAN
_ SIII18 EIoctici1y OoI1nMion Co LId Bandra (E), Mumbai-400051.
(A Govt. of Maharashtra Undertaking)
Tel.: (P) 26478252 (0) 26474211 Extn: 2207
(IN: U40109MH2005SGC153645 Email: cetesting@mahadiscom.in
Website: www.mahadiscom.in
CErrcstingfPT Maint/Circular/ll Date: 21/07/2020
CIRCULAR NO-ll

Subject: Failure of Power Transformers and need to follow maintenance schedule thereof.

There are more than 6000 power transformers of 3M VA, 3.1SMVA, SMVA and 10MVA capacity in
MSEDCL distribution network. They are situated in the 33/22/11 KV substations and are adequately
protected by protection switchgear systems.

Electrical faults are developed on the supply lines / feeders occasionally due to various reasons
such as snapping of line conductor, falling of tree branches on line etc which cause phase to earth, phase
to phase and over-current faults. During fault condition, heavy fault current flows in the system till the
time the fault is isolated by protection systems. This fault current also flows through the power
transformer windings weakening its insulation. Similarly, lightening stokes (voltage surges) during
stormy weather also flow through the power system affecting the electrical equipments and the
insulation of transformer windings. These two types of electrical faults predominantly affect the health of
transformer insulation.

Oil is used in the transformer tank for cooling as well as for providing electrical insulation
between the windings. Due to higher ambient temperature and humidity in the atmosphere, the oil
quality gets deteriorated causing increase in moisture content, breakdown and internal flashover / faults.
The transformer oil occupies all space inside the power transformer tank and hence oil quality &
characteristics have significant effect on the overall health of transformer.

In view of the foregoing discussion, various causes and their effects on power transformer could
be summarized as below:-

Sr. No. Cause Effect on transformer

1 Heavy Fault, Higher Fault Current Mechanical jerk and deformation of cores / windings.

2 Lightening Surges, switching Insulation failure, insulation weakening at one location

Surges, Voltage surges could get deteriorated further causing internal flash-
over / fault

3 High Oil temperature Insulation strength of oil decreases, Can break down if
hot-spot /internal arcing is developed

4 High Moisture content Damages inside oil & paper insulation, Just 1% Moisture
can reduce insulation resistance by 90%.

5 Loose connections Could give rise to higher contact 'resistance, J2R loss,
heating, delayedisolation of fault if ground terminal is
loosely connected.
I
Therefore, the major parameters to be observed regarding transformer are Loading in MVA,
Voltage (Primary & Secondary), Current (Primary & Secondary), PF, Oil Temperature and Winding
Temperature.

The power transformer in the substation is the most costly equipment in the power system and
hence needs to be protected well at all times from all possible faults. Apart from the cost, failure of power
transformer it cause major supply interruptions to consumers causing huge revenue loss MSEDCL.
Therefore, it is imperative to continuously monitor the health of the power transformer, carry out proper

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maintenance of the transformer components & its protection system and endeavour to reduce the faults
on the power system.

The following monitoring and preventive maintenance schedule is recommended for ensuring the
good health of the power transformers.

Sr.No Activity Operation Frequency Responsibility

1 Monitor Ambient Temperature, Oil & Winding Hourly/ Operator/
Temperature, Load Current & Voltage Weekly Sjstn-Incharge
Monitor Oil level in Transformer tank, Oil level in . Daily/ Operator/
2 OLTC, conservator tank Weekly S/stn-Incharge
Check Oil level gauge / window,
Iflow, top up, attend the leakage ifany
Explosion Vent diaphragm--Replace if
broken/cracked
3 For the oil -
3A Breather Check colour of the silica gel- : Blue Weekly/ Operator/
checks If found pink, Replace it with new or Monthly S/stn-Incharge
dehydrate it, till it turns blue
Check the oil cup has oil/water- Monthly/ Operator/
If water content is more, replace it by oil HY Sjstn-Incharge
- Check if breather breaths during oil Half- Operator/
temperature rise- Yearly/ S/stn-I ncharge
Bubbles aj)pear in oil Yearly
3B Oil sample Check BDV for oil in main tank/Ol.TC, HY S.O.O.
testing If BDV is found low, Filtration of oil is
recommended.
Check DGA of oil Yearly S.D.O.
3C Oil leakages Check oil leakages through radiator joints, Monthly Operator/
and Top cover gaskets, and bushing gaskets; SOO
circulation If leakages are observed-Replace gaskets
and stop leakages.
Check all radiators are working- check Yearly SOO
radiator temp with ordinary Infra-red
(CORONA) thermometer-
If different temperatures are seen for
various fins, take cognizance and analyse
and resolve the issue
Check free oil circulation between HY SDO
conservator and main tank- with oil
draining
Check oil in Bushing by releasing it thru HY SOO
Bushing oil nut
Check PRY switch operation HY SOO

4
Electrical connection checking

4A Check Main Check temperature of contacts on load by Monthly S.O.O.

HV/LV non contact type IR thermo-meter for
connections hotspot on bushing-
IfGT 75 deg. Redo the connections.

Check neutral and earth connection; HY S.O.O.

Check earth pit resistance. Yearly AEE(M).

It shall be < 1 Ohm
Take suitable action if it is more

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 4B Check Check all auxiliary electrical connections Yearly AEE(M)
auxiliary for the proper operation of relays and
Electrical annunciation- lf wrong/ non-operative call
connections testing batch to rectify
Check operation of 0 LTC/RTCC and its HY AEE(M)
, alarms, All shall be operational
5 Checking of the protection system and complete tests on transformer
Checking of Check the Remote & Local Operation of HV Yearly Substation In-
the protection & LV Circuit breaker manually & through charge
system protective relay with proper indications /AEE(M) -
during shutdown &
Call testing team if any problem.
Do not bypass T /F protection; replace -- E.E.(O&M)/S.E.
failed protection equipments on priority. (O&M)

Test the Over current + Earth fault relay Yearly E.E.(Testing)

settings and its operation,
Check differential protection operation by
stability test
Check Auxiliary protection of transformer- Yearly E.E.(Testing)
All aux relay and master trip shall operate
on the trial
Check operation of OSR and OLTC Yearly E.E.(Testing)
operation /protection
6 Painting Check for rusting / colour Yearly 5.0.0./ AEE (M)
Touch up to be done
7 OLTC After 50000 Operations, Check the arcing -- 5.0.0./ AEE (M)
Maintenance contacts, lubricating oil in gear box
Replace if necessary
8 Transformer Check the oil and paper insulation visually, After EE(Testing) /
Overhauling if found degraded re-insulation is 7 years SE(O&M)
recommended.
Overhauling of transformer shall be carried
out.

If the transformer is in the substation which is supplying power to sensitive area having Major
Hospitals, Important Government Offices etc, frequency of maintenance should be increased.

The above maintenance is recommended for the transformers in general. In addition to the above,
the maintenance schedule for associated substations equipments shall be followed scrupulously.

This circular shall come in force with effect from the date of issuance. This circular is available on
MSEDCL website i.e. www.mahadiscom.in. So hard copy of the same shall not be issued.

(Dr.~
Chief Engineer (Testing)

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